Expect Foles to play, but as always, keep an eye on the news and have an alternative ready—just in case.

Foles has an excellent matchup against a Chicago Bears team which allowed 273 yards and a touchdown to Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell. They did pick off a pair of passes as well, but considering the opposition, it’s nothing to worry about.

In Week 14, the Bears held Tony Romo to just 104 yards but allowed three touchdowns.

The Bears will allow touchdowns, yards or both.

Foles will give you the best of both worlds—heavy yards and touchdowns—and while he has turned the ball over once each of the last two games, he also just threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

He’ll be fine.

Philip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders usually play their fellow AFC West teams tough, but they were absolutely taken apart by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.

Although it might be more accurate to say they were more obliterated by Jamaal Charles’ run-after-the-catch ability than Alex Smith’s arm (more on that below).

Rivers has scored a touchdown in every game this season—often more than one. Last week he was shockingly ineffective against the Denver Broncos but still managed two touchdowns and—more importantly—got the win.

The Raiders are not a good defensive team and Rivers is consistently productive.

He should be an excellent start this week.

Alex Smith vs. Indianapolis Colts

This has very little to do with the five-touchdown day because that’s a stat that is the definition of “misleading.”

Four of those touchdowns were to Jamaal Charles and he did the bulk of the work—overall, Smith’s touchdowns traveled a combined 13 yards through the air, according to the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.

No, the reason you like this matchup is because the Colts are bad against the pass when it comes to teams who are good at passing.

Running Back Matchups to Like

Like most of the Denver Broncos offense, Knowshon Moreno choked against the San Diego Chargers, but you can expect him to bounce back in a big way against the Titanic of the NFL: the Houston Texans.

The only worry about him—what keeps him from being a guy who can produce No. 1 running back numbers—is that the Broncos could get out to an early lead and sit him to protect him for the playoffs.

Still, if that happens, he has likely generated enough combined yards to top 100 and you’ll still be very happy.

LeVeon Bell vs. Green Bay Packers

Last weekend Bell topped 100 total yards (receiving as well as ground yards) and he should easily do the same against a Packers run defense which was lit up by Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.

It would have been worse had the Cowboys not inexplicably stopped running the ball.

Bell will see plenty of carries against a defense which can be run on. He’ll be a rock-solid No. 2 back with upside this week.

Wide Receiver Matchups to Like

Well, we learned one thing last week—the Dallas Cowboys can choke a lead away with the best of them.

Also, a quarterback like Matt Flynn can drop 299 yards and four touchdowns on them. Also, a guy like Josh McCown can torch them for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

Short version: You can throw on them.

We saw a huge difference last week with Kirk Cousins utilizing Garcon as the vertical threat he can be. There’s not a ton there other than Garcon, so he should see the bulk of the yards Cousins throws for.

Defensive Matchups to Like

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Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

With rookie quarterback EJ Manuelout this week, the Bills will be serving up quarterback Thad Lewis, who was decidedly mediocre in his previous three starts where he threw for just 652 yards and three touchdowns while tossing a pair of interceptions.

The Dolphins also may not have to worry about Stevie Johnson since he is expected to miss the game due to the death of his mother.

This is a week where the Dolphins should be able to generate plenty of sacks and some turnovers. They’re a good championship week matchup.

Cleveland Browns at New York Jets

Maybe Geno Smith is the future for the Jets at quarterback, maybe not. Fourteen games isn’t enough to know for sure, though he'll definitely have competition next year.

What we can say with 100 percent certainty is Smith and the Jets are generous whether it’s Christmas or not.

With 21 interceptions to his credit this year—five in the last four games—you can almost guarantee he’s going to turn the ball over at least once this coming week.

A possible bonus for a low score and multiple sacks are also a distinct possibility.

Denver Broncos at Houston Texans

There’s not much we have to say to convince you here, right? A battered and broken Texans offense. No Arian Foster, no Ben Tate and the return of “Pick-Six Schaub!”

If the Broncos (maybe we should say “when”) jump out to an early lead, you might see some garbage yards, but that’s just more opportunity for sacks and interceptions.